TO 30 water in oil

Ferguson TO 30. In checking the dip stick I see a milky oil way up on the stick. I've researched the subject and found this is a common problem. Today I tried the Bars Leak $22 that mixes with antifreeze trying to get lucky but I doubt if it will fix my problem. I'm thinking that this tractor had this problem when I bought it a month ago. I checked the oil and it was clean, probably too clean. The guy advised me to always shut off the gas which I keep forgetting. This couldn't be gas in the oil could it. Where should I start besides buying a shop manual. Any advice would be appreciated. Terry from Boise

Re: TO 30 water in oil

It could be a leaking head gasket (this would be lucky). The engine sleeves leaking at their base where they seal the water jacket from the crankcase or the webbing in this area between two cylinders is cracked. The latter is the worst case scenario, but not uncommon. It costs quite a bit to repair, machine, etc.

Unfortunately, it probably was leaking prior and covered up. One possible band aid would be flush the cooling system of Bar's and rust. Get some "liquid glass" block sealer. It can be had from a good auto parts store. There is no guarantee, but it s an alternative to expensive overhaul or overhaul/machining.

Re: TO 30 water in oil

I'm thinking that this tractor had this problem when I bought it a month ago. I checked the oil and it was clean, probably too clean.

Clean (new) oil is always a huge red flag for me.

If the oil is white and milky, it's possible that it's contaminated with gas or that coolant is leaking into it from somewhere. If it's contaminated with gas, it will have a strong odor of gasoline. It could also be a blown head gasket, which can be easily diagnosed with a compression test. Otherwise, you may be looking at tearing down the engine to locate the problem.

Re: TO 30 water in oil

Originally Posted by bigtbassman

Ferguson TO 30. In checking the dip stick I see a milky oil way up on the stick. I've researched the subject and found this is a common problem. Today I tried the Bars Leak $22 that mixes with antifreeze trying to get lucky but I doubt if it will fix my problem. I'm thinking that this tractor had this problem when I bought it a month ago. I checked the oil and it was clean, probably too clean. The guy advised me to always shut off the gas which I keep forgetting. This couldn't be gas in the oil could it. Where should I start besides buying a shop manual. Any advice would be appreciated. Terry from Boise

Milky oil is a sure sign of coolant in the cranckcase.The Z129 Coninental block is prone to cracking betwee the cylinders near the top deck. often the cracks stop there. Some don't however. There are also oring seals at the base of the liners than can also crack with age and cause the problem. If you're lucky it's a headgasket leak. Drain the oil/coolant mix and let it drain overnight so all the oil drips into to the collecting container and then drop the pan. Look up and see if you can spot where the coolant is coming from. You may be lucky and find it's the orings. Maybe a blocksealer can help you. If not there are at least two repair methodsfor a cracked block. Tension rods across the water jacket to pull it together and furnace brazingthe cracks. The former was the factory fix and the later is the more modern fix. the other option is to find a good block. If it's the o-rings, you'll have to pull the sleeves and replace them.

Re: TO 30 water in oil

I was going to sell my MF35 but discovered the same thing.

just went through the same thing with Z134. On tear down nothing was evident so I took the sleeves out and some of the o rings were iffy looking. Saw one slight discoloration of one valve and a possible head water leak nothing conclusive.

In the end I decided to to a complete overhaul as my engine was still wired on the bottom end and had never been overhauled.New bearings, Pistons, Rings,Sleeves, Timing Gears, Rebuilt oil pump, Ground crank .010 rods reconditioned,Block cleaned and verified , Head rebuilt and decked.
More money yes but I have complete cofidence in his tractor again and can pass along that to any prospective buyer.

I recommend you start with removing the head and haveing it decked and gone through. Reinstall and hope. If you problem is still in the oil then go farther

Re: TO 30 water in oil

Removing the oilpan and pressurizing the cooling system will often reveal whether the coolant is coming from outside the sleeve (o-ring/block problem) or from within the sleeve (sleeve/head gasket/head problem).